“The second film had to come out right at this exact moment.” Meryl Streep said it with determination—much like Miranda Priestly—yet with such elegance. You could say that’s true. A movie that was made before the iPhone even came out has returned to find us again after 20 years. Over those two decades, everything around the world—business, digital, publishing, the fashion industry, and more—has changed. But the truth is, the essence of stories about people hasn’t changed at all. In 2006, the value of the independent lives and solidarity of working women shown in 〈The Devil Wears Prada〉 is still just as relevant. After 20 years, what has changed—and what values have remained, even so, unchanged? And how have the people involved grown?
〈The Devil Wears Prada 2〉 is bringing in audiences this year—exactly 20 years since the first film. Andy (Anne Hathaway), who once threw her desperately ringing phone into a fountain and left the “runway,” has returned after 20 years—now as the “runway” planning editor. And Miranda (Meryl Streep), the editor of “runway,” still wields her power there. Even with the more mature lead and a media world that’s always shifting, the story comes alive with an ensemble of distinctive characters who never stop proving the strength of their own values.
On April 8, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, a Korean press conference was held with the stars of 〈The Devil Wears Prada 2〉—Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway—in attendance. Here are the words the actors shared that day. Meryl Streep said this is her first official visit to Korea, and Anne Hathaway said she visited Korea for the first time in eight years. From their thoughts on reuniting after 20 years to their special affection for Korean culture, these are the solid and genuinely fun remarks captured at the press conference.
“The reason we waited 20 years was that the sequel arrived at exactly the right time.”
Meryl Streep
Until the sequel came out, the wait was long. The movie—made before the first-generation iPhone even launched—opens its sequel in the year when iPhone 18 is released. When asked whether they had waited too long, Meryl Streep firmly shook her head. She said, “If you ask, ‘Have you ever thought, “Why didn’t we make this (the sequel) earlier?”’—no. I believe this script fits this precise moment perfectly. That’s the exact reason we had to wait 20 years, so we could move forward to the next stage in the same way we began our first film.” She expressed strong conviction about the timeliness of the second movie.
Meryl Streep also said, “The film we made in 2006 was released a year before the iPhone came out. Since then, smartphones have changed everything,” pointing to the massive shift in media over those 20 years. She added, “It changed everything in publishing and changed everything in our business. Business became fragmented, and we find ourselves in a rapidly changing environment—one that makes you wonder how you maintain financial stability amid such enormous challenges.” She emphasized that the second film begins right at this point.
“For Andy to become Miranda’s powerful partner, it would only be convincing if 20 years passed.”
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway, too, empathized with Meryl Streep, who highlighted why the sequel had to come out right now. Hathaway said, “No matter how much you emphasize it, the impact of the digital revolution on every aspect of our lives—especially journalism and fashion journalism—isn’t something you can overstate. You know, in the first film, Andy Sachs was 22 years old, fresh out of college, and she was full of ideas, but she lacked a bit of life experience. And in this film, over those 20 years, Andy has gone out into the world and lived the life she wants to the best of her ability. So Andy has learned technology, developed her own point of view, and gained both significant humility and confidence while building experience.” She discussed how her character, Andy Sachs, changed over those 20 years. She then reflected on the inevitability of the 20-year span, saying, “For Andy to step into the role as Miranda’s strong potential partner with confidence, those kinds of years would have to pass for it to feel convincing.”
“Have you ever seen a woman in her 70s play the boss?”
Meryl Streep
〈The Devil Wears Prada〉 explored the lives of independent women and made a big impression with audiences around the world. In particular, the reason Miranda and Andy characters were even more captivating is that they weren’t defined only as villains or only as heroes. Through scenes like Miranda talking about the value of a cerulean blue sweater, or Andy confessing her divorce to her, the character “Miranda” wasn’t portrayed as a flat “devil” figure alone.
Meryl Streep spoke about the symbolism of the character “Miranda,” saying, “If I can say this on behalf of Miranda, in any film, in any situation, it’s not common for a woman in her 70s to be the ‘boss.’ That’s why I’m really happy I can represent this kind of role. Because in popular culture, the interests and opinions of older women are often undervalued. It’s very enjoyable to see someone with such a huge social position and tremendous influence.” At age 76, Meryl Streep added, “Recently, I did a photo shoot with Anna Wintour (the Vogue editor-in-chief, known as the person who served as the model for ‘Miranda’). She’s 76. And the person taking the photos was also 76,” praising the fact that the accomplishments of women in their 70s stand out.
“Over 20 years, Anne Hathaway’s essence hasn’t changed.”
Meryl Streep
In 2006, Anne Hathaway met Meryl Streep at the starting point of her career. Hathaway recalled the time like this: “When I was 22, I played a character who was 22. In the story, Andy had an incredibly powerful boss, and I was a rookie actor playing alongside what might have been the greatest actor in history. And it became the most incredible gift. As a young actor, it’s very anxious and fragile not to know how your career will unfold—but this film opened so many doors and gave me so many opportunities.”
When filming the first movie, Hathaway said she was deeply shocked to realize that “Meryl’s acting ability and power come from truly listening to the other person’s words,” and she talked about what she learned from Meryl Streep. She added, “Our chemistry was simply completed naturally—as long as Meryl led so brilliantly—while I followed along with awe,” and shared her feelings about working with Meryl Streep across both the first and second films.
Meryl Streep also looked back positively on Anne Hathaway’s chemistry, saying, “It was so enjoyable to feel that renewed energy between us again, and I was truly happy to meet Andy again—not as a little girl, but as a perfectly mature woman.” She added, “Over those 20 years, Andy’s essence didn’t change at all. Andy remains so fresh and sincere in every single moment,” praising how, over 20 years, Anne Hathaway grew into a fantastic actor without losing what made her her.
“If I were a planning editor, I’d cover Korean skincare—and I’d interview Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho.”
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway said she was disappointed that her Korea schedule was so short. She said, “I wanted to go to the Starfield Library in Byeolmadang—a place I’ve had on my bucket list for a long time. After I finish my schedule, I might be able to set aside a little time to go.” She shared her thoughts on visiting Korea for the first time in eight years. And when asked, just like Andy in 〈The Devil Wears Prada〉—if she were a planning editor, what in Korea would she cover—she answered, “Korea has a tremendous strength in young culture. Especially in music, fashion, and skincare. If I were a fashion editor, I’d cover that. But as an actress, I’d want to interview directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho.”
Meanwhile, Meryl Streep said, “I’m very interested in Korean barbecue,” making the audience burst into laughter. She added, “I have six grandchildren. They all know K-pop. They’ve been heavily influenced by K-culture. When I was growing up, the world wasn’t as connected as this—but it’s a very good thing that we’re connected like this and that we rely on each other like this.”
As the press conference was nearing its end, the two actors received a special gift. It was the only two pairs in the world, reinterpreting the iconic red high heels from the film by combining them with Korea’s traditional flower shoes. Meryl Streep said, “I’ve never seen something made this meticulously,” and Anne Hathaway said, “I’m lost for words. I’m going to take these delicate and fun shoes home and keep them forever. I’ll think of this special experience every time I look at it,” expressing her thanks.
The movie 〈The Devil Wears Prada 2〉 opens worldwide for the first time on April 29.
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